Two Worcester-Boston express trains debut next week

Getting to and from Boston will be quicker starting next week with the debut of two express trains, state officials said Thursday.

Lt. Gov. Timothy P. Murray, a former Worcester mayor, said he will travel on the inaugural express train from Worcester to Boston at 6:20 a.m. Monday.

The new inbound express will stop in Framingham at 7 a.m. and arrive at South Station at 7:43 a.m.

An express train from Boston will leave South Station at 5:35 p.m., stop in Framingham at 6:13 p.m. and arrive in Worcester at 6:43 p.m.

Existing trips between the two cities take approximately 90 minutes.

Secretary of Transportation Richard Davey said another two round trips will likely be added to the Worcester-Boston line by November, bringing the total to 20. He said some of those additional trains could be express as well.

The state acquired the train tracks between the two cities from CSX Corp. last year.

“Now that we own the tracks, we have much better control of the schedule,” Mr. Davey said.

A round trip between the two cities costs $20, Mr. Davey said. The express trains will likely feature six cars and each car can accommodate approximately 175 passengers, he said.

Gov. Deval L. Patrick and legislative leaders are crafting a 2014 budget that deals with an MBTA operating deficit of $125 million but Mr. Davey said there are no plans over the next 15 months to raise fares.

Contact Bob Kievra at rkievra@telegram.com

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